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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:42:24 +0000
Subject: YOUR EMAIL WAS SELECTED

Dear Winner,
Your ticket number: 023-0148-790-459 with Serial number 5368/05 drew the
lucky number: 29 .We are pleased to notify you that your email address emerged
as a winner in our promotional lotto sweepstakes and as a result you have been
granted the lump sum payout of (750.000.00(G.B.P) .Contact your claims officer
below for your claims/winnings.FINANCIAL CONTROLLER:ADAMS OWENS
Email:owensdept@live.com you are to forward the following details to enable us
clear your file for immediate payment:

1. Full Names:
2. Address: 3. Age:
4. Sex: 5. Marital Status:
6. Occupation: 7. Phone numbers:
8. Fax number: 9. Country:
Sincerely,
Mr:Andy Benson
FREE LOTTO ONLINE DIRECTOR
UNITED KINGDOM.

Anti-fraud resources: